writing to cadets

My son wants to thank the cadet he stayed with over the weekend. The young man is a plebe, so I know he is to write cadet ________, with no first name. The only problem is the cadet has a very common last name. In this case should he use a first initial? He does not want to cause the young man undo grief for getting mail addressed improperly.

It is perfectly acceptable to use the plebe's first name when addressing a letter. It is only during Beast that a New Cadet's first name on mail is not advised. Also, as long as you have the correct P.O. Box Number, the letter will get to the right person.